https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:43:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93478 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:50:14 +0000 mrsjyw 93478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in the same boat (minus baby) as far as the two plans go. (This is the first year DH and I combined insurance plans). We double checked all of our doctors and opted for choice 1. We also double checked all our TTC-related doctors/hospitals and they are all in network as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93450 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:55:49 +0000 CarrieLouWho 93450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ Plaintains - I'm an insurance consultant and help people w/ these decisions every day. It's a tough decision to make, but if your doctors &amp; hospitals are in the network, then you should be fine. If you're in an emergency situation (life or limb threatening) and don't have access to an in-network hospital, then it is typically treated as an in-network benefit. So you would have out-of-network coverage for emergencies.</p> <p>Double check with your HR department to see if when you have the baby it would be a qualifying event to CHANGE plans. Typically you can add the baby to your current plan, but not change plans. However, some insurance carriers will allow you to switch plans. I would double check that. </p> <p>Good luck! You have great benefits compared to what I see most of the time, so you will be good either way you go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93421 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:06:03 +0000 plantains 93421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: thanks for the advice, I will request a provider directiory right away. You are right, UHC is so huge and has such a big network, I don't think it will be an issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93419 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:05:06 +0000 plantains 93419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Holy crap, $340 every two weeks is insane! That is like $700 a month, OMG! I should really stop worrying and just be thankful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93408 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:58:19 +0000 MamaMoose 93408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@plantains: Honestly I think the Open Access is the best option. UnitedHealth care is huge company and therefore has a very large provider network. If you have concerns, I would start by requesting a provider directory from UH to get an idea of how extensive your options are. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93377 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:16:32 +0000 regberadaisy 93377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@plantains:<br /> I would probably do the same as well since childbirth is a qualifying event to change plans.</p> <p>SO jealous you get free healthcare!!!</p> <p>Mine will go from $0 - ~$340 for a family plan every two weeks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93374 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:14:21 +0000 plantains 93374@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay. Just checked with hospital. They are in network, so is my doctor and the anaesthesiology dpt and the NICU. Copays are $20 on both plans for regular dcs visits or $30 if we need to see a specialist. Well visits shouldn't have a copay of any sort due to Obamacare. </p> <p>I'm thinking about going with the Open Access for now to minimise any costs associated with teh borth and then switching to 90/70 thereafter so that if we travel or whatever I will have peace of mind. I have a doc's appt this afternoon so I might bring both options to my doctor and see what she thinks. Since she is in network she gets paid anyway so I'm hoping she isn't biased. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93363 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:00:04 +0000 regberadaisy 93363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@plantains: that is super generous! My employer gives us free single but not family plan.<br /> The out of network plan how much is the co-pay and are child well visits covered? If co-pay is like $20-$30 and/or well visits are covered I would go with that one. I don't know your health scenarios but I barely go to the doctor but once a year. So my concern would lie with the child. So having the out of network coverage in case they get sick when we travel would be a nice piece of mind.</p> <p>Very good point about the hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93346 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:43:42 +0000 plantains 93346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Problem is they are all the same network (United Healthcare Choice Plus) so I don't think that is the issue. Also they are roughly the same price. The issue is whether it is worth only having access to the United Network in order to entirely avoid deductibles and coinsurance. </p> <p>I'm checking with the hospital now to make sure they, the anaesthesiologist and NICU are all in the network. If they aren't it could be a problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93337 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:33:26 +0000 tequiero21 93337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i personally would probably go with the more expensive plan. if something (god forbid) happens and the best doctors are not in your plan, that would really suck. also, my husband's a doctor so i know for a fact that some doctors won't take certain insurances because they are such a hassle and they don't pay anything (which may be the case for the first option)....</p> <p>good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93319 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:05:00 +0000 plantains 93319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yup even for family plans. Which is really generous of them so I feel like a total cheapo worrying about this but why waste money if I don't need to right? I've never gone out of network either, but like you say I am concerned about travel. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93311 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:56:53 +0000 regberadaisy 93311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@plantains:<br /> Even for family plans?</p> <p>How often would you be out of network? I can honestly say I have NEVER used my out of network coverage. But I also don't typically get sick. But then with a child on the way that might be a consideration if you ever have to travel to go visit family. on vacations etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93304 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:51:22 +0000 plantains 93304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The 90/70 plan is about $5 more per month, but none of that matters to me because my company covers the premiums entirely (both employee and employer portion) so I only have to worry about deductibles, copays, oop expenses etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93299 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:49:45 +0000 regberadaisy 93299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What's the premium difference?<br /> I also want to mention to you to check out Child Health Plus. It's a NY State funded child health insurance program. Premiums are based upon your salary. MOST people qualify for it. It is NOT medicaid.<br /> With my husband and I's income it'll be roughly $50 a month for baby's health insurance.<br /> PM (oops I guess write on my wall?) me if you want to know more! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-conundrum#post-93297 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:45:50 +0000 plantains 93297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need a wee bit of advice. I have to change my health insurance in the next couple of weeks and will be on United Healthcare going forward. I have a choice of two plans. The first one is and Open Access Choice plan. It has no deductible, no coinsurance and everything is 100% covered. The kicker however is that everything has to be in network. There is no out of network coverage at all. </p> <p>My second choice is a 90/70 plan. My deductible would be $250, the family deductible after baby arrives would be $500 ($750 if out of network). Out of pocket maximums are $1,500-3000 for individual or $3,000-$6000 for family depending on whether one is in network or not. </p> <p>If I go with the first one, I could conceivably have nothing to pay except for copays if I am always in teh network. But is it worth the risk or are there too many factors that I cannot control and should I go for a 90/70 plan which definitely means spending soem money but i we happen to be out of network will at least provide some cover?</p> <p>Sorry for the novel, I am not used to having to worry about this. I have previously always opted for 100/60 plans but no longer have that option. </p>